Practice Limited to Periodontics & Dental Implants
5162 E Stop 11 Road Suite 2
Indianapolis, IN 46237
Tel:
(317) 888-3322
Toll Free:
(866) 988-3322
Periodontal Disease
Retaining your teeth is directly dependent on proper periodontal care and maintenance.
Periodontal disease can be described as an inflammation and/or infection of the gums and bone that support the teeth. This causes the destruction of the bone that supports and holds the teeth in the mouth. Bacterial plaque and its toxic byproducts, plus calculus and roughened root surfaces, can overwhelm the mouth's defenses. Typically, unhealthy gum tissue covers eroded bone, resulting in abnormal pockets around the roots. Left untreated, periodontal disease can result in loss of teeth. Periodontal treatment is designed to repair the damage that has been caused by bacteria, tarter and plaque. Retaining your teeth is directly dependent on proper periodontal care and maintenance. Healthy gums enhance the appearance of your teeth, like a frame around a beautiful painting. When your gums become unhealthy, they can either recede or become swollen and red. Supporting bone can be destroyed and your teeth shift, loosen, or fall out. These changes not only affect your ability to chew and speak; they also spoil your smile. Further, pain is usually not associated with periodontal disease. Thirty percent (30%) of individuals ages 25-34 exhibited periodontal disease and this percentage increased to over 80% in individuals 65 or older. Periodontal disease has recently become a renewed focus for dental researchers because of the possible links to other conditions such as cardiovascular disease (Loesche 1994, Herzberg and Meyer 1996, Loesche et al 1998), low birth weight infants and premature births (Slavkin 1997).
To view a brochure about factors that affect periodontal disease click here.
To read about how tobacco use greatly affects your oral health click here.
To learn about the relationship between periodontal disease and
heart disease click here.
Periodontal disease and diabetes click here.
More about the Mouth-Body Connection can be found here.
Also learn about the Facts and Fallacies about periodontal diseases by clicking here.
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Periodontal Treatment
Periodontal treatment methods depend upon the type and severity of the disease. Your dentist and dental hygienist will evaluate for periodontal disease and recommend the appropriate treatment.
Periodontal disease progresses as the sulcus (pocket or space) between the tooth and gums gets filled with bacteria, plaque, and tartar, causing irritation to the surrounding tissues. When these irritants remain in the pocket space, they can cause damage to the gums and eventually, the bone that supports the teeth.
If the disease has progressed to more advanced stages, a special periodontal cleaning called scaling and root planing will be recommended. It is usually done one half of the mouth per session. Tartar plaque and toxins are removed from above and below the gum line and rough spots are smoothed. The gum tissue heals and tightens around the tooth. Pockets can also get smaller with this procedure.
If all of the pockets do not heal after scaling and root planning, periodontal surgery may be needed to reduce pocket depths. This procedure allows you to reach areas to clean on a daily basis that you could not clean before the procedure. If all areas of your mouth are kept clean, then the gum remain healthy and teeth are saved.
Be sure to see what the American Academy of Periodontology has to say about treaments for periodontal disease by clicking here.
Warning signs of periodontal disease are listed here.
To view a brochure on what to expect with periodontal surgery click here.
For more information go to perio.org/consumer/faq.htm.